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The Mathematical Exploration Internal Assessment

List of 200 ideas/topics for a

Mathematical Exploration
The topics listed here range from fairly broad to quite narrow in scope.
It is possible that some of these 200 could be the title or focus of a
Mathematical Exploration, while others will require you to investigate
further to identify a narrower focus to explore. Do not restrict yourself
only to the topics listed below. This list is only the tip of the iceberg with
regard to potential topics for your Mathematical Exploration. Reading
through this list may stimulate you to think of some other topic in which
you would be interested in exploring. Many of the items listed below may
be unfamiliar to you. A quick search on the internet should give you a
better idea what each is about and help you determine if youre interested
enough to investigate further and see if it might be a suitable topic for
your Mathematical Exploration.
Algebra and number theory
Modular arithmetic

Goldbachs conjecture

Probabilistic number theory

Applications of complex numbers

Diophantine equations

Continued fractions

General solution of a cubic equation

Applications of logarithms

Polar equations

Patterns in Pascals triangle

Finding prime numbers

Random numbers

Pythagorean triples

Mersenne primes

Magic squares and cubes

Loci and complex numbers

Matrices and Cramers rule

Divisibility tests

Egyptian fractions

Complex numbers and transformations

Eulers identity: ei + 1 = 0

Chinese remainder theorem

Fermats last theorem

Natural logarithms of complex

numbers

Twin primes problem

Hypercomplex numbers

Diophantine application: Cole numbers

Odd perfect numbers

Euclidean algorithm for GCF

Palindrome numbers

Factorable sets of integers of the form

ak + b

Algebraic congruences

Inequalities related to Fibonacci

numbers

Combinatorics art of counting

Boolean algebra

Graphical representation of roots of

complex numbers

Roots of unity

Fermats little theorem

Prime number sieves

Recurrence expressions for phi (golden

ratio)
Geometry
Non-Euclidean geometries

Cavalieris principle

Packing 2D and 3D shapes

Ptolemys theorem

Hexaflexagons

Herons formula

Geodesic domes

Proofs of Pythagorean theorem

Minimal surfaces and soap bubbles

Tesseract a 4D cube

Map projections

Tiling the plane tessellations

Penrose tiles

Morleys theorem

Cycloid curve

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Geometry (continued)
Symmetries of spider webs

Fractal tilings

Euler line of a triangle

Fermat point for polygons and

polyhedra

Picks theorem and lattices

Properties of a regular pentagon

Conic sections

Nine-point circle

Geometry of the catenary curve

Regular polyhedra

Eulers formula for polyhedra

Eratosthenes measuring earths

circumference

Stacking cannon balls

Cevas theorem for triangles

Constructing a cone from a circle

Conic sections as loci of points

Consecutive integral triangles

Area of an ellipse

Mandelbrot set and fractal shapes

Curves of constant width

Sierpinksi triangle

Squaring the circle

Polyominoes

Reuleaux triangle

Architecture and trigonometry

Spherical geometry

Gyroid a minimal surface

Geometric structure of the universe

Rigid and non-rigid geometric

structures

Tangrams

Calculus/analysis and functions

Mean value theorem

Torricellis trumpet (Gabriels horn)

Integrating to infinity

Applications of power series

Newtons law of cooling

Fundamental theorem of calculus

Brachistochrone (minimum time)

problem

Second order differential equations

LHpitals rule and evaluating limits

Hyperbolic functions

The harmonic series

Torus solid of revolution

Projectile motion

Why e is base of natural logarithm

function
Statistics and modelling

Traffic flow

Logistic function and constrained

growth

Modelling growth of tumours

Modelling epidemics/spread of a virus

Modelling the shape of a birds egg

Correlation coefficients

Central limit theorem

Modelling change in record

performances for a sport

Hypothesis testing

Modelling radioactive decay

Least squares regression

Modelling the carrying capacity of the

earth

Regression to the mean

Modelling growth of computer power

past few decades
Probability and probability distributions

The Monty Hall problem

Monte Carlo simulations

Random walks

Insurance and calculating risks

Poisson distribution and queues

Determination of p by probability

Lotteries

Bayes theorem

Birthday paradox

Normal distribution and natural

phenomena

Medical tests and probability

Probability and expectation

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The Mathematical Exploration Internal Assessment

Games and game theory

The prisoners dilemma

Sudoku

Gamblers fallacy

Poker and other card games

Knights tour in chess

Billiards and snooker

Zero sum games

Topology and networks
Knots

Steiner problem

Chinese postman problem

Travelling salesman problem

Knigsberg bridge problem

Handshake problem

Mbius strip

Klein bottle
Logic and sets

Codes and ciphers

Set theory and different size infinities

Mathematical induction (strong)

Proof by contradiction

Zenos paradox of Achilles and the

tortoise

Four colour map theorem

Numerical analysis
Linear programming

Fixed-point iteration

Methods of approximating p

Applications of iteration

Newtons method

Estimating size of large crowds

Generating the number e

Descartes rule of signs

Methods for solving differential

equations

Physical, biological and social sciences

Radiocarbon dating

Gravity, orbits and escape velocity

Mathematical methods in economics

Biostatistics

Genetics

Crystallography

Computing centres of mass

Elliptical orbits

Logarithmic scales decibel, Richter,

etc.

Fibonacci sequence and spirals in

nature

Predicting an eclipse

Change in a persons BMI over time

Concepts of equilibrium in economics

Mathematics of the credit crunch

Branching patterns of plants

Column buckling Euler theory

Miscellaneous
Paper folding

Designing bridges

Mathematics of rotating gears

Mathematical card tricks

Currys paradox missing square

Bar codes

Applications of parabolas

Music notes, pitches, scales

Voting systems

Flatland by Edwin Abbott

Terminal velocity

Towers of Hanoi puzzle

Photography

Art of M.C. Escher

Harmonic mean

Sundials

Navigational systems

The abacus

Construction of calendars

Slide rules

Different number systems

Mathematics of juggling

Global positioning system (GPS)

Optical illusions

Origami

Napiers bones

Celtic designs/knotwork

Design of product packaging

Mathematics of weaving

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